25. Poet

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"The Poet waits quietly

to paint the unsaid."

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I sat on a stool as Chloe began to do my makeup for the interview.

Adrien left us a few minutes ago to go get ready for his next photoshoot in another room.

It's been just a week since Anthony has left back to China and honestly, I felt nothing but loneliness since... I hated knowing that the only way for me to go back to my regular self was only if he was beside me like he was before. I hate having to depend on someone for my wellbeing, Anthony didn't want that for me yet here I am sitting and wondering if I can really leave everything behind in Paris to run into his arms. It isn't right of me to depend on him so much knowing that Anthony wanted me to become a person that only depended on themselves in situations like this.

I feel so weak.

I also hated the thought of leaving my friends alone here.

I felt so selfish.

I didn't think about them or my parents, I didn't think of anyone except myself...

"Mari-," I look up to see Chloe looking at me with a worried expression.

"You okay doll? I've been calling you for the past 3 minutes, seems like you were caught up in that brain of yours again," she giggled softly trying to calm me down.

I smile softly at Chloe "sorry why were you calling me?"

"Oh yeah I just finished, I kept it simple, wish I could've done more but it doesn't sit well for this small photoshoot, anyways let's go, hurry up," Chloe grabbed my arm before pulling me up from the stool and led me to the young man that was doing my interview.

"Hello, I'm Leon, I work for LOVE Magazine," he stook out his hand to me and I took it.

"This will be recorded, so you will sit here, and I will sit here," he led me to a small area in the room that was decorated like a small studio and sat me down on a small couch as he sat in front of me. "Here," he handed me a cup of tea "just encase your throat get dries while we are asking questions," he smiled and nodded at his gesture.

"I'll be asking very basic questions like where you are from, what you like to do besides taekwondo, and it might get a little personal at points, but of course if you feel uncomfortable you can let me know and we can stop," Leon smiled "and after the interview we will take a few photos of you in your uniform and another in a dress that we will provide."

"Okay thank you," I smiled.

"Good luck babe! I'll be drinking some boba over here," Chloe called before heading to other side of the room getting herself comfortable as I did the same.

"Okay we will now begin...," Leon smiled and turns to the camera man who began to give the que of when to begin talking.

"And welcome hello! It's yours truly Leon Beaulieu and today we are here with the gorgeous Marinette Dupain-Cheng from Paris, the person that won many of your hearts, and kicked you out of your seats with her Martial art skills!" Leon began to speak in a very powerful voice, as I laugh lightly and wave to the camera saying a small hello.

"So, for starters I would like to begin the conversation with how an honor it is to meet such a powerful woman and how I'm actually a pretty big fan of yours," he smiled.

"Awe thank you," I smiled.

"So many of us know the basics of your life like how you are about to turn 18 and how you were born here in Paris and what not, but the viewers would like to know more about you, I mean you're a pretty private person from what we've seen from your personal Instagram."

"I never really knew many people wanted to know so much about me," I laughed softly.

"Are you kidding so many people have been inspired to begin martial arts because of you as well as your old teammate Anthony."

"Anthony is still my teammate," I smiled.

"Oh, sorry it just seemed after such a big loss you guys would've fell off like many others before you," he tried to back track.

"Anthony and I don't show any hatred towards one another, only wishing for the best."

"Ahhh seems like I have misspoken, very sorry for coming off as rude," he laughed nervously and turned to the cameraman with a small smile.

"Okay so here are the questions that we have seen many people ask, what made you get into Martial arts and especially taekwondo instead of Kung Fu or Karate?"

"Well as many of us teenagers struggle with anxiety and trying to find their true self's, I also fell into this category and have been struggle with anxiety and depression due to many reasons that I will keep private. I fell into a deep hole where I didn't really feel the need to leave from, till a very close friend of mine led me to the idea of leaving Paris, which in way showed me to Master Hui Yen Studio," I said loud enough so he can hear me.

"I was going to start off with Kung fu since my Master was much more experienced in that, but she instructed me that I had very powerful leg movement and for other reasons I can't really say, but I use my legs a lot and needed to strengthen the power on them and soon move on to Kung Fu after the finals are over," I nodded.

"Wow! And is this how you met your teammate and also well-known martial artist Anthony Yuan?" Leon asked and took a sip of his drink.

"Yes, Anthony and I met at our Master's Martial art studio and soon we were put as partners going against one another to make ourselves stronger," I laughed lightly and remember Anthony and I's first meeting.

"Ahh Mr. Yuan is quite a looker right Andre?" Leon smiled to the camera man.

"Correct, when he first walked into our studio in Beijing we were taken aback by his appearance since we weren't really experienced in Martial Arts and kind of stereotyped him to be missing a tooth or having multiple tattoos," Andre smiled nervously.

"Oh you guys aren't well known in this category?" I asked confused.

"No actually we are more knowledgeable in teen idols in China and the US as well as Paris, but one young female went to one of Anthony's matches by pure accident and caught a glimpse of him which led to her to take a picture and actually got him to go viral which eventually led him to be the mysterious Taekwondo winner and such lines like that. That also led to our boss making us interview him without any knowledge or without preparing any questions for him back in China, also are mandarin wasn't so great a few months ago and in all round we weren't prepared," the interviewer laughed nervously.

"But Anthony was well spoken in French as well as other languages which helped us a lot, and after that interview with him and how famous he became everyone's eyes landed on you as well, and then on the team and then on the sport itself which gained more recognition and love from many people, leading us here."

Now that I think about it when we began to get well known from many people and how my Insta blew up rather quickly surprised me, I didn't really understand the sudden notice from many citizens that basically happened over night.

All I know was that Anthony became more noticed on social media and we got more interviews from people that were known for clothing brands and teen magazines. We did get interviewed a few times by actual Martial Arts entertainers and got our photos taken a few times with our uniform, but after I suppose that instinct we got photographed in other clothing and even clothing brands. Our Master got attention for her hard work and skill as well as the rest of the team and we even got new customers which was very good for the dojo.

"Hmmmm," I mumbled and laughed lightly.

"But since we are on the topic many fans have been wondering if you and Anthony have anything else going on besides friendship?" Leon smiled.

I knew this question was going to come up one day in one of my interviews...

Anthony's and I's relationship always seemed more than just acting as friends... I can admit that.

I can't deny that Anthony isn't attractive because he is, he was also kind, and caring when I first met him, he never made me once uncomfortable and asked my opinion on many things when we were together.

...

I never really thought of Anthony relationship wise, I mean I knew... I knew I liked him... I just didn't know if it was more than just friendly wise or... or romantic wise.

I look up at Leon and smile softly.

"Friendship can't describe our relationship... he is more than a friend...," I cough lightly.

"He is someone very dear to me, very dear," I whisper.

"So, are you guys together?" Leon asked.

I felt my cheeks blush at the thought of me and Anthony together in that way and quickly shake my hands in front of his face "no, no, no, no," I quickly stop myself embarrassed "I'm sorry," I sigh and rub my head annoyed at myself, as Leon chuckles at my action.

"Can you cut that out? Anthony is just very dear to me is all you can put yeah? Please?" I covered my face embarrassed.

"You are very lucky our boss and our label respects privacy among all," Andre laughed lightly.

I understood for what I asked for seem stupid mainly for the reason beings that what I just said can be used to gain more attention to their label, and I like a complete idiot I spilled so much private information that could've really brought so much trouble for Anthony and me. I look up at Andre and smile softly embarrassed "yeah Andre is right, we believe in privacy with our idols and lucky for you revealed your feelings to us and not another company," Leon laughed.

"I'm sorry I just really wasn't thinking, and I was confused on the question and thought more than I should've," I sighed.

"It's fine Marinette, I guess the rumors must be true, correct?" he asked.

"What rumors?"

"That you and Anthony are dating?"

Once again, I feel my head turn red and divert my eyes to a wall "no, no, no, we aren't dating, by any means we are friends," I stuttered.

"Hmmm," Leon hummed "is it one sided?"

"I think so- I mean no- I mean it's not like that," I mumbled.

"I suppose whatever you say," he laughed lightly.

"Just watching you the way you are and how flustered I have gotten you I'll drop it at that," Leon chuckled.

———

Well, hello my beautiful readers!! Hello Hello Hello!! I am terribly sorry for the late update and my many excuses of why I basically went messing for a few weeks now. Yes, my mental state did get a bit better and I am currently sick LMAO. Not only that I hurt my thumb a week ago which was honestly a pain because TW I cut a smoll piece of it off. I am not kidding you I was so excited to get back last week until that occurred and then I got sick so... Honestly not the best month for me loves I will admit that lol. I got a new computer and I no longer have writers block so the fanfic will now update every Sunday!! Of each week!!!

Also, I have finished the cover of my original novel/webnovel and I am so excited to share with you all the story that I have come up with!!

Thank you so much for staying active and the sweet messages I have received from you all made me cry seeing how many of you all waited for an update ☹((( I adore you all!!